Latest news with #AshleyBerry
CBS News
04-07-2025
- CBS News
Dozens gather in Columbia Heights to mourn Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr.
Family, friends mourn Twin Cities teen found dead in landfill weeks after going missing Family, friends mourn Twin Cities teen found dead in landfill weeks after going missing Family, friends mourn Twin Cities teen found dead in landfill weeks after going missing Heartbreak filled the air in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, but so did solidarity. Dozens of people stood in a circle surrounding a grieving mother determined to not only mourn but seek justice for her son, Jordan Dupree Collins Jr. — known by the nickname Manny. "I'm going to miss him a lot," said Collins' mother, Ashley Berry. Collins vanished while visiting his father in Columbia Heights on May 8. After nearly a month of searching the Waste Management Landfill in Elk River, authorities found the remains of Collins there on Saturday, Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise said. The search had shifted to the landfill on June 4 after authorities "were offered information that led to a video, and that video showed some evidence that would suggest the body might've made its way into a dumpster and into a garbage truck." Ashley Berry/Minnesota BCA The remains came to the landfill from a dumpster in Columbia Heights, Wise said, and Collins likely died between May 8 and May 13. Thursday evening, outside the apartment where Collins lived with his father, red and blue balloons swayed in the wind as the community vowed to seek justice alongside Berry. "A million thank you to everybody, I wish I could send thank you cards to everybody," Berry said, holding back tears. An autopsy has been completed, but Collins' cause of death remains undetermined, according to Columbia Heights Police Chief Matt Markham. Investigators say they have a person of interest, but they're still not naming that person. Anyone with additional information about Collins' death is asked to contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The FBI is assisting in the investigation. and contributed to this report.
CBS News
21-06-2025
- CBS News
Mother of missing Twin Cities teen offering $10,000 reward for his return
It's been 45 days since Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr. disappeared. The 16-year-old boy was last seen at his father's apartment in Columbia Heights. Ashley Berry, Collins' mother, isn't waiting to see what law enforcement finds. She's searching on her own and is hoping a $10,000 reward will help bring her son home. Ashley Berry/Minnesota BCA Berry spends her days spreading the word about her son. "I put them on people's mailboxes on the cars, or I just pass them out to people," she said. "I'm like running out of options. I'm lost. I'm stuck. I guess I can keep passing out flyers every day, doing my own searches, but I don't know. I thought the reward was the next step." Investigators say they continue to search for clues about Collins' disappearance. They are following tips from the public and interviewing people. Federal and local law enforcement officials are searching a landfill in Elk River in connection with Collins' disappearance. Law enforcement is searching a landfill in Elk River for Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr., who was last seen on May 8. WCCO "I know they said something led them there, but I don't know what. Yeah, but they've been out there for days," Berry said. "It's horrifying, like I had to turn the news off when I seen it. Nothing good comes to my mind when I see that." Investigators say they have a person of interest, but have not named them. Berry believes someone out there knows where her son is. "I think someone knows something. I know for sure someone, the main person, knows something, but I think there are other people who know as well," she said. For now, she is doing what she can so she can hug her only child again. "This is the longest I've gone in 16 years without talking to you, and I want you to know how much I love you, and I'm sure you know you got a lot of people that is waiting for you and that cares about you, and I love you and I hope you are okay," Berry said. Investigators told Berry they continue to interview people with information about Collins' whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at 1-877-996-6222 or by email.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Search for Manny Collins: Columbia Heights teen last seen 1 month ago
The Brief June 8th marks one month since 16-year-old Manny Collins went missing in Columbia Heights. Investigators believe he went missing against his will. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office revealed Friday, that investigators are searching an Elk River landfill in hopes of finding evidence that could lead them to Manny. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - It's been one month since Columbia Heights teen Manny Collins went missing under circumstances that, police believe, were against his will. Timeline A mom has been without her son for a month now. On May 8, Manny Collins was last seen in Columbia Heights at49th and University. That was the last time Ashley Berry heard from her son Manny. "His last text from me was at 4 a.m., that he liked my message about the allowance. He said, thank you, Mom. I appreciate you. I love you. I'll see you soon," said Berry on May 28 at an Anoka County Sheriff's Office news conference. Manny was reported missing on May 12th. An alert went out for him on the 19th. On May 28, the story echoed across Minnesota, as his mother made a plea for her son to come home. "16 year olds don't just disconnect the way Manny did via social media. So I would say we're all convinced he's disappeared against his will," said Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise on May 28. The backstory The Anoka County Sheriff's Office was at the apartment building where Manny Collins was staying with his father. Investigators say he was last seen in Columbia Heights with his father. Our cameras were there, as investigators removed items from Manny's father's apartment. That same day, Fox 9 spoke to Manny's uncle. "My nephew is missing and the last person he was seen with, it's not rocket science, we're not building rockets man it's common sense. He's yelling I need a lawyer I need a lawyer," said Mike Wilson, Manny's Uncle on May 29th. Local perspective In their latest briefing on Friday, investigators revealed that they had begun searching the Elk River Landfill on Wednesday, looking for further evidence that could help find Manny. "When we're looking for something, we might end up having to contact, say, if it was a home over here, where does their refuse go? And that would lead us to go to a certain landfill," said Wayne Heath, commander with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office on Friday. Investigators say they have a person of interest but would not disclose who it is. Manny's mother told us on Friday that she is overwhelmed, as she has no information on where her son might be.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Mother of missing Twin Cities teen, believed to be taken "against his will," pleads for his safe return
A worried Minnesota mother says she hasn't heard from her teenage son in weeks. Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr., 16, vanished while visiting his father in Columbia Heights on May 8. Investigators think someone took him "against his will." "This is out of the norm for him," Collins' mother, Ashley Berry, said. Berry says she can't sleep or eat, and is worried about her only child. "My mind is racing all over the place. I want to believe that my son is still here in the state and physically here, but it's hard as the days go by to think that," Berry said. She says Collins has plans and rarely misses a day speaking to her, his grandmother or his girlfriend. "He has a job interview for plant fitness. He would have checked on his grandma, me and his girlfriend. He's a lady's man and he loves his Mom," Berry said. According to Berry, her son has taken on the role as head of the household. "He feels like he must be the man and protect the rest of his family. You're 16 and I want you to be a kid as long as possible. That's not your job. But that's him. That's his personality," she said. Berry says Collins did not like to worry her, so he always made sure to be positive about everything. "Wednesday before he went missing, he said he was taking a walk to clear his head, and I'm trying to check on him, and I asked, 'Is there anything you want to talk about?' And he said, 'No, do you want to talk about anything? " Berry said. Her concern is that Collins hasn't used a phone or social media since he disappeared. For now, she is holding on to hope because so many people are searching for him. "Even his old friends he hasn't seen in months, they've called me, like, 'What do you need me to do?" Berry said. She is asking for the public's help. "If you see something, say something, " Berry said. And praying for the safe return of her son. "Just come home, just come home," she said. Police say they do have a person of interest in this case, and they've collected forensic evidence. Investigators are asking neighbors to check their yards or cameras for anything suspicious.
